Update: Fire Chief Says Church Likely 'Total Loss'

Tamika Moore/Birmingham NewsBirmingham firefighters fight a blaze at the Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 118 55th St. N., built in 1912.

A blaze firefighters have been battling for more than two hours likely has destroyed a Woodlawn church built in 1912, Birmingham's fire chief said this afternoon.

Chief Ivor Brooks said the fire had been contained to Woodlawn United Methodist and no surrounding buildings were affected.

Flames were showing when firefighters arrived at the church around 1:45 p.m. The fire was coming up the stairwell from the basement.

"It was just too hot for our guys," Brooks said. "They had to bag out."

One firefighter suffered a minor injury when a piece of debris fell on his shoulder, the chief said. He was transported to a hospital as a precaution. Brooks said 65 firefighters are working the blaze.

"This temperature is tough on firefighters, so we have to keep rotating," he said.

Authorities are investigating what caused the fire. About 14 people were in the church for a service when they smelled smoke and evacuated. No one was injured.